Ober throws a Complete Game Gem, Twins win 3-0 over Miami
Minneapolis:
By Troy Geary
Geary Sports & Entertainment Network
The Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins are a lot alike. Similar payrolls, a heavy focus on developing young talent, quality starting pitching, and even similar records so far in 2026. In other words, it was like looking in the mirror Tuesday night as the two teams opened a three-game series. The Twins sent Bailey Ober (3-2, 4.19 ERA) to the mound against Marlins starter Eury Perez (2-4, 5.01 ERA).
The game had all of those ingredients early. Both starters struck out four batters through the first three innings and kept hitters off balance.
But the Twins finally broke through in the fifth inning. With two outs, center fielder Byron Buxton drew a walk. Trevor Larnach followed with a single, moving Buxton to third. With catcher Ryan Jeffers at the plate, the Twins attempted a double steal. The throw went to second, and Buxton slid home just under the tag from Marlins catcher Joe Mack to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead. Jeffers then crushed the very next pitch 400 feet into the upper deck in left field, extending the Twins lead to 3-0.
Perez went six innings for Miami, allowing three runs while striking out eight, but Bailey Ober was even better.
Ober continued his dominance at home, keeping the Marlins off balance all night while striking out eight batters and giving the Twins bullpen much-needed rest. He pitched arguably his best game as a Twin, throwing a complete game, for the 3-0 win, while allowing just two hits. Ober has also significantly lowered his hard-hit rate from 39.1% last season to 31.3% this year. The MLB average sits around 40%.
Wednesday’s probable starters are Simeon Woods Richardson (0-5, 6.92 ERA) for the Twins and Max Meyer (2-0, 2.79 ERA) for the Marlins. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.
Twins vs Marlins Game Lineup and Team News and Notes 5-12-26
Miami Marlins
1. Xavier Edwards — 2B
2. Liam Hicks — 1B
3. Otto Lopez — SS
4. Kyle Stowers — RF
5. Connor Norby — 3B
6. Jakob Marsee — CF
7. Christopher Morel — DH
8. Joe Mack — C
9. Heriberto Hernández — LF
Starting Pitcher: Eury Pérez — RHP
Minnesota Twins
1. Byron Buxton — CF
2. Trevor Larnach — LF
3. Ryan Jeffers — C
4. Josh Bell — DH
5. Austin Martin — RF
6. Luke Keaschall — 2B
7. Kody Clemens — 1B
8. Brooks Lee — SS
9. Royce Lewis — 3B
Starting Pitcher: Bailey Ober — RHP
Ryan injured but Morris impressive, Twins win series finale
Ryan injured, but Twins win series finale 4-3 over the Blue Jays
Minneapolis:
By Troy Geary:
Geary Sports & Entertainment Network
Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan lasted just two batters before exiting with an apparent elbow injury. The team later confirmed it as right elbow soreness. That’s a big blow if it turns into something long-term.
Rookie Andrew Morris came on in relief and was lights out over 3.2 innings. Morris looked like he was having fun out there, keeping the Toronto Blue Jays off balance all afternoon.
The Twins gave Morris an early cushion in the first. Catcher Victor Caratini delivered an RBI single, scoring left fielder Trevor Larnach to make it 1-0.
Toronto starter Trey Yesavage, making just his second start after beginning the season on the injured list, settled in through the second, third, and fourth innings before running into trouble in the fifth.
Caratini drew a walk, then second baseman Luke Keaschall ripped an RBI double to score him and make it 2-0. Kody Clemens followed with an RBI double of his own, scoring Keaschall to push it to 3-0. After a groundout by third baseman Royce Lewis, Matt Wallner added the third Twins double of the inning, stretching the lead to 4-0.
The Blue Jays broke through in the sixth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled, followed by another single from Jesús Sánchez. Daulton Varsho then knocked in Guerrero Jr. with an RBI single to make it 4-1.
Given the early loss of Ryan, the Twins’ bullpen delivered. Taylor Rogers, Eric Orze, and Kody Funderburk combined to get the game through eight innings, allowing just that lone run.
But Toronto didn’t go quietly in the ninth. After a lineout by catcher Brandon Valenzuela, Myles Straw singled. Then the Blue Jays’ hottest hitter, Kazuma Okamoto, launched a two-run homer to left, cutting the lead to 4-3—his third home run of the series.
Back-to-back singles from Guerrero Jr. and Sánchez put runners on first and second, and the crowd got antsy. But Twins reliever Justin Topa got Lenyn Sosa to ground into a game-ending double play, sealing a 4-3 win and a series split.
The Twins are off Monday before traveling to Washington, D.C. for a three-game set against the Washington Nationals starting Tuesday. Taj Bradley (3-1, 2.85 ERA) is slated to start for Minnesota, while Washington counters with Cade Cavalli 1-1, 3.82 ERA.
Game time is 6pm Central.
Blue Jays vs Twins: Lineup & Updates 5-3-26
Toronto Blue Jays
1. Yohendrick Pinango — LF
2. Kazuma Okamoto — 3B
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — DH
4. Jesús Sánchez — RF
5. Lenyn Sosa — 1B
6. Daulton Varsho — CF
7. Ernie Clement — 2B
8. Andrés Giménez — SS
9. Tyler Heineman — C
Pitcher: Trey Yesavage — RHP
Minnesota Twins
1. Byron Buxton — DH
2. Trevor Larnach — LF
3. Austin Martin — OF
4. Victor Caratini — C
5. Luke Keaschall — 2B
6. Kody Clemens — 1B
7. Royce Lewis — 3B
8. Matt Wallner — RF
9. Brooks Lee — SS
Pitcher: Joe Ryan — RHP
Team News and Notes:
Twins CF Byron Buxton now has homered 1o times in the past 16 games.
On this day in Twins History: In 2011, Francisco Liriano threw the 5th no-hitter in Twins History.
Okamoto powers Blue Jays to a 7-3 over Twins
Minneapolis:
By Troy Geary
Geary Sports & Entertainment Network
The Twins couldn’t sustain their early-series momentum, dropping a 7–3 to the Toronto Blue Jays in game two of the best of four series. Game exposed some familiar issues on both sides of the ball the Twins have had to start the season.
After a strong showing in the opener, Minnesota entered the night with a chance to take control of the series. Instead, defensive lapses and inconsistent pitching put them on their heels early, and they never fully recovered.
The turning point came in the opening innings, when a defensive error by Twins 1st Baseman Josh Bell, that opened the door for Toronto to strike first. That early mistake snowballed into a multi-run inning, forcing the Twins to play from behind almost immediately. Against a lineup that found its rhythm as the game progressed, that deficit proved costly.
Toronto was led by Kazuma Okamoto, who hit 2 homers and 3 RBI’s.
Starter Simeon Woods Richardson battled but couldn’t contain the Blue Jays’ surge. He surrendered six runs, only four earned, highlighting how much the defensive struggles impacted the outing. While he showed flashes of effectiveness, particularly early in counts, key hits and extended innings, kept his pitch count climbing and prevented him from settling in.
Offensively, the Twins leaned heavily on Byron Buxton, who continues to be one of the team’s most reliable sources of production.
Buxton provided the biggest spark of the night with a 2 run home run and briefly giving Minnesota hope of a comeback. His power and ability to deliver in key moments remain a cornerstone for the lineup.
Outside of Buxton, however, the offense struggled to generate sustained pressure. Minnesota had opportunities but couldn’t string together enough quality at-bats to chip away at the deficit. Timely hitting, so present in Game 1, was largely absent in this one.
Meanwhile, Toronto capitalized on nearly every opening. Big swings in the middle innings stretched the lead and put the game out of reach, underscoring the difference in execution between the two clubs on the night.
For the Twins, the loss serves as a reminder of how slim the margin for error can be. Defensive sharpness and pitching efficiency will need to improve if they want to win the series. The pieces are there, especially with Buxton swinging well, but cleaner, more complete baseball will be necessary moving forward.
With the series now even, Minnesota has an opportunity to respond. The question is whether they can tighten up the details and deliver a more complete performance in the next game.
Twins and Blue Jays continue the series Saturday as Twins go with Connor Prielipp 1-0, 4.00 ERA, while the Blue Jays counter with Dylan Cease 1-1, 2.87 ERA.
Game time is 1:10pm
Blue Jays & Twins Lineup: 5/1/26
Toronto Blue Jays
1. George Springer — DH
2. Jesús Sánchez — RF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — 1B
4. Kazuma Okamoto — 3B
5. Daulton Varsho — CF
6. Lenyn Sosa — 2B
7. Yohendrick Pinango — LF
8. Andrés Giménez — SS
9. Tyler Heineman — C
Starting Pitcher: Patrick Corbin (LHP)
Minnesota Twins
1. Byron Buxton — CF
2. Austin Martin — RF
3. Ryan Jeffers — DH
4. Josh Bell — 1B
5. Victor Caratini — C
6. Luke Keaschall — 2B
7. Royce Lewis — 3B
8. Brooks Lee — SS
9. James Outman — LF
Starting Pitcher: Simeon Woods Richardson (RHP)
Team News and Notes:
Ryan Jeffers has hit safely in 6 straight games.
Twins have only committed 1 error in there last 8 games.
Ober Shuts Down Blue Jays
Minneapolis:
By Troy Geary
Geary Sports & Entertainment Network
After Pablo López went down with an elbow injury during spring training, the Twins’ rotation behind Joe Ryan looked like one of the team’s biggest question marks heading into the season. So far, it’s been the exact opposite, it’s been their biggest strength.
Bailey Ober delivered another quality start, and Byron Buxton went 3-for-4 with a home run as the Twins rolled to a 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in the series opener.
Ober mixed his pitches well all night, keeping Toronto hitters off balance and working efficiently. He allowed just one run over six innings while striking out two.
Toronto got on the board in the fourth when center fielder Daulton Varsho hit a solo shot to right, making it 1-0, Ober’s only real mistake of the night.
The Twins answered right away in the bottom half. Trevor Larnach led off with a walk, and Ryan Jeffers followed with a two-run homer to left-center, his fourth of the season, to give Minnesota a 2-1 lead after four.
Buxton stayed hot in the sixth, leading off the inning with a solo homer to left-center to make it 3-1. He’s now homered in three of his last four games and has eight on the season. Larnach drew another walk, and after a fielder’s choice from Josh Bell, Austin Martin drove in a run with a single to center to push it to 4-1.
That was it for Toronto starter Kevin Gausman, who allowed four runs in 5.2 innings while striking out two.
Both bullpens held things steady in the seventh before the Twins added some insurance in the eighth. Buxton led off with a single. After a strikeout, Jeffers reached on a fielder’s choice, but a throwing error by third baseman Kazuma Okamoto kept everyone safe. Bell then singled to left, scoring Buxton, and another throwing error—this time by shortstop Andrés Giménez—brought home Jeffers to make it 6-1. Kody Clemens walked to load the bases, and Luke Keaschall added a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring at 7-1.
The Twins bullpen handled the rest, and Justin Topa closed it out with a scoreless ninth as Minnesota took the opener.
Game two of the four-game set is Friday night. The Twins send Simeon Woods Richardson (0-4, 6.30 ERA) to the mound as he looks for his first win of the season, while Toronto counters with Patrick Corbin (0-0, 3.72 ERA).
First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.
Twins vs Blue Jays Lineups 4-30-26
Toronto Blue Jays
1. George Springer — CF
2. Jesús Sánchez — RF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — 1B
4. Kazuma Okamoto — 3B
5. Daulton Varsho — CF
6. Ernie Clement — 2B
7. Yoendrick Piñango — LF
8. Andrés Giménez — SS
9. Brandon Valenzuela — C
Pitcher: Kevin Gausman — RHP
Minnesota Twins
1. Byron Buxton — CF
2. Trevor Larnach — LF
3. Ryan Jeffers — C
4. Josh Bell — DH
5. Austin Martin — RF
6. Kody Clemens — 1B
7. Luke Keaschall — 2B
8. Brooks Lee — SS
9. Royce Lewis — 3B
Pitcher: Bailey Ober — RHP
Twins Battle Reds in a Close Game
Twins Edge Reds in a Tight Match
Minneapolis:
By Troy Geary
Geary Sports & Entertainment Network
The Twins’ trade for Taj Bradley last August kind of flew under the radar with everything else happening at the deadline. Fan favorite Griffin Jax was dealt in a one-for-one move, but so far, it’s looking like a move that’s paying off. Sometimes a change of scenery is all a guy needs, and Bradley has been really solid to start the season.
Ryan Jeffers gave him some early run support, ripping a two-run triple in the first to put the Minnesota Twins up 2-0.
The Cincinnati Reds answered in the second when Tyler Stephenson brought a run home on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1. The Twins got that run right back in the third, as Luke Keaschall knocked in Austin Martin with an RBI single to make it 3-1.
Stephenson came through again in the fourth with an RBI single, scoring Eugenio Suárez to cut it to 3-2.
Bradley gave the Twins a strong outing, going six innings and allowing two runs while striking out five. On the other side, Andrew Abbott went 4.1 innings, giving up three runs with three strikeouts.
Minnesota added on in the fifth with an RBI single from Brooks Lee to make it 4-2, and Bradley left the game with the lead.
Things got a little tense late. Justin Topa came in and gave up an RBI single to Elly De La Cruz to make it 4-3, but the inning had some controversy. De La Cruz looked like he may have swung at strike three, but no call was made. The Twins dugout wasn’t happy, and it led to manager Derek Shelton getting ejected, his second of the season.
The Twins then turned to Eric Orze, who battled through the eighth, but the Reds were able to tie it at 4-4.
Minnesota couldn’t answer in the bottom of the inning, and in the ninth, Dane Myers gave Cincinnati the lead with an RBI single, scoring Spencer Steer to make it 5-4.
Tony Santillan came on in the ninth and shut the door for his first save of the season.
The Twins will look to bounce back and take the series finale tomorrow, with Bailey Ober (2-0, 5.49 ERA) on the mound against Brady Singer (1-1, 5.60 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:10 PM.
Game Day: Reds vs Twins Lineup & News
Cincinnati Reds
1. TJ Friedl — CF
2. Will Benson — LF
3. Elly De La Cruz — SS
4. Sal Stewart — 2B
5. Eugenio Suárez — DH
6. Nathaniel Lowe — 1B
7. Tyler Stephenson — C
8. Rece Hinds — RF
9. Ke’Bryan Hayes — 3B
Pitcher: Andrew Abbott — LHP
Minnesota Twins
1. Byron Buxton — DH
2. Austin Martin — RF
3. Josh Bell — 1B
4. Ryan Jeffers — C
5. Luke Keaschall — 2B
6. Trevor Larnach — LF
7. Brooks Lee — SS
8. Ryan Kreidler — CF
9. Tristan Gray — 3B
Pitcher: Taj Bradley — RHP
Twins News and Notes:
3B Royce Lewis (knee sprain) will start a rehab assignment with AAA St. Paul Saints Saturday and will be the DH.
Twins are 19-22 all-time vs the Cincinnati Reds.
Twins Fall After Costly Errors
Twins Fall in Extras After Costly Errors
Minneapolis:
By Troy Geary
Geary Sports & Entertainment Network
The Minnesota Twins got another quality start from their rotation, this time from Bailey Ober. Ober, who has the lowest average fastball velocity among starters this season at 84.0 mph, leaned heavily on his off-speed stuff to keep the Cincinnati Reds off balance. But once again, defensive miscues and bullpen struggles caught up to the Twins, as the Reds completed the sweep with a 7-4 win in 10 innings.
The Twins came into the game leading the league with a .303 average with runners in scoring position, and they kept that going early. Byron Buxton set the tone in the first, using his speed to turn a slow ground ball into a hustle double after it got past Ke'Bryan Hayes. Victor Caratini followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.
Minnesota added on in the third. Buxton worked a walk, Trevor Larnach singled, and Josh Bell drove in a run with an RBI single. Caratini picked up his second RBI of the game with a base hit up the middle to push the lead to 3-0.
The Reds got one back in the fourth when Elly De La Cruz doubled to left and moved to third on a bobble by right fielder James Outman—the Twins’ 12th error of the season. Sal Stewart brought him home with a groundout to make it 3-1.
Ober turned in his best outing of the season, going 6.1 innings, allowing just three hits while striking out a season-high 10. On the other side, Brady Singer gave up three runs over six innings with two strikeouts.
The bullpen held for a bit. Taylor Rogers worked a clean seventh, and rookie Andrew Morris handled the eighth after working around a leadoff walk, striking out two to keep it a 3-1 game.
But things unraveled in the ninth. After a leadoff single by Spencer Steer and another hit from Tyler Stephenson, Rece Hinds walked to load the bases. TJ Friedl then cleared them with a three-run double, flipping the score to 4-3 Reds. Garrett Acton came in to stop the damage.
Minnesota answered in the bottom half. Outman, who had been struggling at the plate, led off with a double—his second hit of the game. After a Buxton popout, Austin Martin tied it up with an RBI double down the left field line. The Twins couldn’t bring him home, though, sending the game to extras tied 4-4.
Errors proved costly in the 10th. Suárez hit a routine ball to Tristan Gray that went off his glove, and a throwing error by Martin made things worse. The Reds took full advantage, scoring three times to go up 7-4.
Graham Ashcraft shut the door in the bottom of the inning, earning his first save of the season and sealing the sweep.
The Twins are off Monday before heading out on a six-game road trip—three against the New York Mets and three in Tampa. They’ll return home on April 27 to face the Seattle Mariners.
Upcoming Twins vs Reds Details
Cincinnati Reds
1. TJ Friedl — CF
2. Matt McLain — 2B
3. Elly De La Cruz — SS
4. Sal Stewart — 1B
5. Eugenio Suárez — DH
6. Spencer Steer — LF
7. Tyler Stephenson — C
8. Rece Hinds — RF
9. Ke’Bryan Hayes — 3B
Pitcher: Brady Singer — RHP
Minnesota Twins
1. Byron Buxton — CF
2. Trevor Larnach — LF
3. Josh Bell — DH
4. Victor Caratini — C
5. Kody Clemens — 1B
6. Luke Keaschall — 2B
7. Tristan Gray — 3B
8. Brooks Lee — SS
9. James Outman — RF
Pitcher: Bailey Ober — RHP
Team News and Notes:
Royce Lewis homered in his first at-bat Saturday for AAA St.Paul on a rehab assignment. Lewis is expected to be back with the team Tuesday in New York, as the Twins face the Mets.
Twins lead the Majors in batting average with Runners in scoring position, with .303 thru there first 21 games.